Soldiers graduate basic training, earn medals
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By The Chippewa Herald
Wednesday, December 31, 2008 1:25 PM CST
Numerous Chippewa County residents serving in the U.S. Armed Forces have completed career milestones in the last six months.
- A1C Lacey B. Bunkelman, the daughter of Gary and Vicki Bunkelman, Chippewa Falls, graduated in October of 2008 from Air Force Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. She was recognized as an honor graduate and expert marksman. She is now a member of the North Dakota Air National Guard based in Fargo, N.D. Lacey graduated from Chippewa Falls Senior High School in 2005.
She is now attending the Security Forces Academy and completing technical training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas until Feb. 11. In August 2009 she will return to North Dakota State University where she will be a senior majoring in criminal justice.
- Army National Guard Pvt. Thomas C. Lewis has graduated from basic military training at Fort Knox, Ky., under the Split Option Training Program. The program allows high school students between their junior and senior year to attend and complete the Army National Guard or Reserve six-week basic training program during the summer of their junior year. He is the son of James and Jane Lewis of Jim Falls. He is a student at Chippewa Falls Senior High School.
- Chief Gunner’s Mate Ronald P. Simoni II, the son of Ron and Kay Simoni of Chippewa Falls, retired from the U.S. Navy on Sept. 19, 2008 after 22 years of military service. At the time of his retirement, Simoni was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his duties with Seal Team 10 in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Bronze Star is the nation’s fourth highest award. Simoni lives in Virginia Beach, Va., with his wife and two sons.
- Army Sgt. Dale T. Biesterveld was honored at a special Welcome Home Warrior Citizen Award ceremony.The ceremony is in recognition of the soldier’s personal sacrifice, exceptional duty performance, and honorable service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq and/or Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. The reservist is assigned to the 88th Regional Readiness Command headquartered at Fort Snelling in St. Paul, Minn. At the ceremony, the commanding general of the Army Reserve presented the soldier the award package. The award, exclusively for Army Reserve Citizen-Soldiers, consists of a personalized encased American flag, a commander’s coin with Reserve logos, a lapel pin set for the soldier and spouse, and a Welcome Home Warrior Citizen flag. Biesterveld is a food service sergeant with nine years of military service. He is the son of Gerald L. Biesterveld, and Mary J. Biesterveld, both of Chippewa Falls. The sergeant graduated in 1988 from Memorial High School in Eau Claire and received a bachelor’s degree in 2004 from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
- Pfc. Broderick Michael Munholand graduated from Marine Corps Boot Camp on Sept. 5, 2008 in San Diego, Calif., as part of the 3rd Battalion, Mike Company, Platoon 3270. Broderick, after a brief leave, returned to Camp Pendleton in San Diego for SOI training and advanced training for Force Recon. He is a 2008 graduate of Chippewa Falls Senior High School and the son of Jan and Michael Munholand of Chippewa Falls. n Army Pvt. Andrew C. Stewart has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. He is the son of Julie Burgess of Chippewa Falls, and Verne Stewart of Eau Claire. The private is a 2006 graduate of Chippewa Falls Senior High School.
- Army Reserve Pvt. Jamie L. Hesse has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. Hesse is the daughter of Ronald Hesse of Danville, Ill., and great-granddaughter of Lavina Luce of Cornell. She is a 2006 graduate of Cornell High School.
- Army National Guard Pfc. Leaha M. Brzozowski has graduated from basic military training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C., to be a member of the Army National Guard or Reserve Split-option Program. The program allows students between their junior and senior year of high school to attend national guard or reserve weekend drills while still in school and pursue a military career specialty after they graduate from high school. She is the daughter of Lisa Jenson of Chippewa Falls. Brzozowski is currently a student at McDonell Central Catholic High School, Chippewa Falls.
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